Bus driver Brett Button back in custody as he awaits a lengthy sentence hearing

From his first night in custody following the horrific bus crash, to a statement where he expressed being “truly deeply sorry”, Brett Button is now back in prison greens as he awaits a lengthy sentence hearing.

From a confident, dare-taking individual to a highly emotional mess was bus driver Brett Andrew Button as he spent the night in custody, sobbing about what he had just done.

Just a few days after the devastating crash which killed 10 people and injured 25 others, Button found himself “curled up” saying “I’m sorry” over and over according to a police source before he was granted bail on June 13 last year.

Dressed in a black hoodie, black pants and carrying a Coles bag, Button walked from Cessnock Police Station, amid a swarm of media, and was quickly driven away by family.

Button pictured walking out of Cessnock police station after being granted bail. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

Button spent a night in custody before being bailed. (Photo by Roni Bintang/Getty Images)

While Button would avoid the chaos outside Newcastle Local Court on numerous occasions, he eventually showed his face surrounded by a circle of supporters, head bowed, quiet and sombre.

At that time he was facing 89 charges, including 10 of manslaughter.

It was some nine months later Button would speak out for the first time, relying on his solicitor Chris O’Brien to read a statement on his behalf saying he was “truly deeply sorry” for the carnage he had caused.

Button (left) gave a statement outside court via his Lawyer Chris O'Brien (right) on March 13th, 2024 saying sorry. Picture: Amy Ziniak

“There is not a day that goes by that I don’t think about what happened that night,” Mr O’Brien read following a court appearance on March 13.

“There isn’t an hour that goes by that I’m not thinking of the families that have been affected by the crash.

“Truly for anyone involved including the emergency services, I am devastated by what has occurred and I am truly deeply sorry.”

But it would take Prosecutors a painstaking two more months to get a plea out of Button.

Nearing a year since the harrowing tragedy unfolded a deal would finally be reached and, while it has devastated and angered families, it was one which would ultimately see the bus driver back behind bars.

On May 8, Button entered guilty pleas to 19 charges which included 10 counts of dangerous driving occasioning death and nine counts of dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm.

Button also admitted to 16 counts of drive furiously in a motor vehicle to cause bodily harm which will be related charges, while ten charges of negligent driving occasioning death and nine counts of negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm will be backup charges after a plea was not sought.

Button arrives at Newcastle court surrounded by his defence team and family and friends. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

On May 8, 2024 Button arrives at Newcastle court surrounded by family and friends amongst a swarm of media. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

But controversially those guilty pleas came at a cost, an exchange for 10 counts of manslaughter being dropped against him.

And for Button, it was the first time he didn’t come back out of court as a detention application wasn’t opposed and he was taken by correctional officers back into custody.

Moved to Newcastle’s District Court three weeks later he again confirmed his pleas, one after the painful next “guilty, your honour” in-front of a packed but hushed courtroom, only the tearful cries of his daughter rang out.

And now two days on from Tuesday’s fateful one-year anniversary will Button appear once again, this time for a date to be set for what’s expected to be a lengthy sentence hearing, with a huge number of victim impact statements to be read.